ApatityThings to do

Things to do in Apatity

  1. Geological Museum

    The bright new Geological Museum is open to drop-in guests. Labelled mineral fragments are sold here as souvenirs. By appointment, more specialist visitors can arrange a guided visit to a second Mineralogy Collection on the top floor of the next-door Kola Scientific Centre. Friendly academics speak English but if you don’t have the geological background to pose relevant questions you’re likely to feel embarrassingly out of your depth.

    reviewed

  2. A

    Museum of the History of the Exploration & Development of Northern European Russia

    To the non-geologist, Apatity's most interesting museum is the Museum of the History of the Exploration & Development of Northern European Russia, which has explanations in English. It features Russian Arctic expeditions (with unique drawings of Novaya Zemlya) and interesting archaeological material on the Kanozero and Chalmny-Varre petroglyphs and the nine ancient labyrinths around the Kola coast. There are also old Sami and Pomor artefacts.

    reviewed

  3. B

    Mineralogical Museum

    The Kola Scientific Centre's Mineralogical Museum, with 900 samples of Kola Peninsula minerals, rocks and ores, is a little more specialist than the Geological Museum but the colourful minerals from the Khibiny-Lovozero massif will impress anyone. Officially, visits should be prearranged, but if you ask at the reception desk of the building they'll probably send you on up to the museum.

    reviewed

  4. Yug Kola

    Experienced tour firm Yug Kola can get you into additional museums, including the interesting two-room North-Russian Exploration Museum. Yug Kola also offers tailor-made mineral collecting, snowmobile and fishing tours. Its office is within Apatity’s conveniently central Hotel Ametist

    reviewed

  5. C

    Salma Cultural Centre

    The Salma Cultural Centre is a cooperative outlet for over 200 Kola Peninsula artists and artisans. You'll find pictures and artefacts made from a host of materials including colourful sand/dust from local minerals, birch bark, stone, wood and ceramics. Prices are low.

    reviewed

  6. Salma Art Salon

    Salma Art Salon is a private cooperative outlet for over 200 Kola Peninsula artists. Prices are low, and the management can arrange the paperwork to expedite customs procedures.

    reviewed

  7. History Museum

    The 1970s History Museum has exhibits on Russian Arctic expeditions, unique drawings of Novaya Zemlya and details of 5000-year-old Sami rock carvings.

    reviewed

  8. D

    Kafe Yantar

    Kafe Yantar serves OK bliny (from R28), but their R6 charge for the sugar lump in a R15 cup of tea seems cheeky.

    reviewed

  9. Gallery M

    Gallery M has changing local art exhibitions and a bar.

    reviewed

  10. Kulinaria

    Kulinaria has tasty sweet and savoury pastries.

    reviewed

  11. Advertisement

  12. E

    Druzhba

    Amazingly well stocked supermarket.

    reviewed